Introduction: The Need for Praxis

Media discourse can affect not only people’s perceptions of themselves, but also their perceptions of others. This is predicated on the particular significance afforded to such social hierarchies in the sporting arena, which is one of few, and arguably the most high-profile, areas of modern society in which segregation based on gender and/or dis/ability is deemed acceptable. The issues of racism, homophobia and trans rights are also areas of contestation which cannot be overlooked. In this introduction, Domeneghetti outlines how the idea for the book emerged from the many vibrant debates had and research papers given at three events organised by the Sports Media Identity Network (SMIN), a two-year project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council Network Grant fund. He subsequently outlines that this collection and the network from which it emerged, are both built on the understanding that there is a pressing need to ensure that research is not only informed by, but also relevant to, professional practice. He subsequently outlines how the profile of the contributors provides a thorough interrogation of the theoretical and ethical considerations of the relationship between sports journalism and representations of identity. He then gives an overview of the sections of the book and the subsequent chapters.